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Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands

In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX), the median pay for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic is $23.03 an hour ($47,900 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.

$23.03Median hourly pay
$35,500–$56,530Middle half of workers, yearly
1,020People in this job in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)

That is 5% lower than the U.S. median ($50,620). It is about the same as the Texas median ($48,020).

Pay range for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$13.51$28,100
25% of workers$17.07$35,500
Half of workers (median)$23.03$47,900
75% of workers$27.18$56,530
90% of workers$27.47$57,140

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic pay in Texas metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$52,070170
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (this page)$47,9001,020

Texas unemployment rate: 4.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -11.3% over ten years, declining · about 1,400 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)

JobMedian yearly pay
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,420
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42,050
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43,280
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$57,940
Machinists$61,280
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,650
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42,650

Other job titles for this job

Automatic Spinning Lathe OperatorAutomatic Spinning Lathe SetterAxle TurnerBalance RecesserBalance Wheel FacerBar PointerBar TurnerBarrel FinisherBarrel TurnerBell SpinnerBevel Mill OperatorBevel Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.